SCIENCE CHAPTER 5

THE FUNDAMETTAL UNIT OF LIFE

The cell was first discovered and named by ROBERT HOOKE in 1665.
He remarked that it looked strangely similar to cellula or small rooms
which monks inhabited, thus deriving the name. However what Hooke
actually saw was the dead cell walls of plant cells (cork) as it appeared
under the microscope. 

5.1- WHAT ARE LIVING ORGANISM MADE UP OF ?

All living organisms are made up of one or more cells, which are considered the
fundamental units of life. Even unicellular organisms are complex! Inside each
cell, atoms make up molecules, which make up cell organelles and structures. In
multicellular organisms, similar cells form tissues.

DISCOVERY OF CELL

Scientist Discovery

Robert Hooke Discovered cells

Anton Van Leuwenhoek Discovered protozoa and bacteria

Robert Brown Discovered cell nucleus

Albert Von Kolliker Discovered mitochondria

Schleiden and Schwann Proposed cell theory

Evans and Kauffman Discovered Embryonic Stem Cells from mice

James Thomson Discovered Embryonic Stem Cells from

humans

Camillo Golgi Golgi apparatus

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 Joseph Beinaime Caventou and Pierre Joseph Discovered chlorophyll
Pelletier

5.2.1- PLASMA MEMBRANE OR CELL MAMBRANE

The plasma membrane, also called the cell membrane, is the membrane
found in all cells that separates the interior of the cell from the outside
environment. In bacterial and plant cells, a cell wall is attached to the
plasma membrane on its outside surface. The plasma membrane consists
of a lipid bilayer that is semipermeable. The plasma membrane regulates
the transport of materials entering and exiting the cell.

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The plasma membrane, or the cell membrane, provides protection for a
cell. It also provides a fixed environment inside the cell. And that
membrane has several different functions. One is to transport nutrients
into the cell and also to transport toxic substances out of the cell. Another
is that the membrane of the cell, which would be the plasma membrane,
will have proteins on it which interact with other cells. Those proteins can
be glycoprotein, meaning there's a sugar and a protein moiety, or they
could be lipid proteins, meaning there's a fat and a protein. And those
proteins which stick outside of the plasma membrane will allow for one
cell to interact with another cell. The cell membrane also provides some
structural support for a cell. And there are different types of plasma
membranes in different types of cells, and the plasma membrane has in it
in general a lot of cholesterol as its lipid component. That's different from
certain other membranes within the cell. Now, there are different plants
and different microbes, such as bacteria and algae, which have different
protective mechanisms. In fact, they have a cell wall outside of them, and
that cell wall is much tougher and is structurally more sound than a
plasma membrane

HYPERTONIC,ISOTONIC,HYPOTONIC SOLUTION

 Hypertonic solution:

1. If the surrounding solution has a higher solute concentration compared to inside the cell,
then it is called a hypertonic solution.
2. Or if the surrounding solution has low solvent concentration compared to the inside of the
cell, then it is hypertonic solution.
3. In this condition the solvent moves from the cell to the outside.

 Isotonic solution:

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 1. Isotonic solution is the solution that has the same concentration of solute in both
surrounding solution and solution inside the cell.
2. Or, isotonic solution is the solution that has the same concentration of solvent in both
surrounding solution and solution inside the cell.
3. There is no movement of solvent as there is an equilibrium between the surrounding
solution and inside of the cell.

 Hypotonic solution:

1. If the solution in the surrounding has a lower solute concentration as compared to the
solute concentration inside the cell, then the solution is called hypotonic.
2. Or, if the surrounding solution has high solvent concentration compared to the inside of
the cell, then it is hypotonic solution.
3. The solvent moves from the surrounding towards the cells

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5.2.2-CELL WALL

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A cell wall is defined as a rigid, external layer that is specifically designed to provide structural
support and rigidity. It also keeps the interior components of the cell intact and safe from the
external environment.

FUNCTION -The main function of the cell wall is to provide structural strength and support, and also
provide a semi-permeable surface for molecules to pass in and out of the cell.

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5.2.3-NUCLEUS
A nucleus, as related to genomics, is the membrane-enclosed
organelle within a cell that contains the chromosomes. An
array of holes, or pores, in the nuclear membrane allows for the
selective passage of certain molecules (such as proteins and
nucleic acids) into and out of the nucleus
FUNCTION-The nucleus controls and regulates the activities
of the cell (e.g., growth and metabolism) and carries the
genes, structures that contain the hereditary information.
Nucleoli are small bodies often seen within the nucleus. The gel-
like matrix in which the nuclear components are suspended is the
nucleoplasm.

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PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC CELL

Prokaryotic cells Eukaryotic cells

Eukaryotic cells are present as either unicell

This cells are always unicellular
multicellular.

The size of cell is generally range from 0.2 Eukaryotic cells range from 10 to 100 micro
micrometers to 2.0 micrometers in diameter in diameter.

In prokaryotic cells, the cell wall is present and it is Eukaryotic cells have cell walls very rarely, if
very complex in nature. present they have simple chemical nature.

In this cells true nucleus absent, instead nucleotide

True nucleus is present.
is present

DNA is arranged in circular shape DNA is linear in shape

In prokaryotic cells, cytoplasm is present, but it is In eukaryotic cells, it consists of both cytopla
lacking in most cell organelles. and organelles, both are present.

Mitochondria is present and it is a powerho

Mitochondria is absent
cells.

Ribosomes are present, and they are small in size Ribosomes are present but they are compa
and shape is spherical large and linear in shape.

Endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes and Endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes and
centromere’s all are absent centromere’s all are present.

Plasmids are commonly found in prokaryotes. Plasmids are very rarely found in eukaryote

Cell division occur through binary fission Cell division occur through mitosis

Flagella is small in size If flagella are large in size.

In this cells only asexual reproduction occurs. Both sexual and asexual reproduction occur

Bacteria and Archaea are examples. Plant and animal cells are examples.

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5.2.4-CYTOPLASMA

Cytoplasm is the gelatinous liquid that fills the inside of a cell. It is composed of water, salts,
and various organic molecules. Some intracellular organelles, such the nucleus and
mitochondria, are enclosed by membranes that separate them from the cytoplasm.

FUNCTION-The cytoplasm is responsible for holding the components of the cell and

protects them from damage. It stores the molecules required for cellular processes and is also
responsible for giving the cell its shape.

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CELL ORGANEL

The cell organelles are - Endoplasmic Reticulum, Ribosomes, Golgi apparatus,Lysosomes, Mitochondria,
Plastids, Vacuoles, Peroxisomes and Centrosome.

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5.2.5-ENDOPLASMIC RETICULAM

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROUGH AND SMOOTH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULAM

The most basic difference between RER and SER is the presence of ribosomes. When ribosomes
attach to the surface of an ER, it gives a characteristic rough appearance; hence it is called Rough
ER. On the other hand, a smooth ER does not have Ribosomes on its surface.

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The other major differences between the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rough endoplasmic
reticulum are summarized below:

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

It possesses ribosomes attached to its membrane. It does not have ribosomes on its membrane.

Formed of cisternae and a few tubules. Formed of vesicles and tubules.

It participates in the synthesis of enzymes and Synthesises glycogen, lipids and steroids.
proteins.

It helps in the formation of lysosomes. Gives rise to Spherosomes/ Oleosomes

It is internal and connected with the nuclear It is peripheral and may be connected to
envelope. plasmalemma.

Ribophorins are present and help ribosomes attach Devoid of Ribophorins.

to ER

It might develop from the nuclear envelope Develops from Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum.

Provides proteins and lipids for Golgi apparatus. Provides vesicles for cis-face of Golgi apparatus.

The most apparent difference between smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum is the presence of
ribosomes. Only the rough endoplasmic reticulum has ribosomes on its surface, and that gives it its
characteristic rough appearance.

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GOLGIE APPARATUS

The Golgi body comprises 5 to 8 cup-shaped, series of compartments known as cisternae.  Cisternae
is a flattened, disk-shaped, stacked pouches that make up the Golgi apparatus. A Golgi stack mostly
contains 4 to 8 cisternae. However, ~60 cisternae are found in some protists. A mammalian cell
contains ~40 to 100 stacks of cisternae.

Animal cells generally contain around 10 to 20 Golgi stacks per cell, which are connected by tubular
connections. Golgi complex is mostly found near the nucleus.

Creation, or evolution, whichever one, you hold a belief in has worked in wondrous ways to evolve or
design the various living beings in this world in the most optimum ways. For example, take the Golgi
complex, it has been designed in such a way, to ensure a sufficient number of Golgi bodies are
present in the cell as per the requirement.

FUNCTON- Its main function is the packaging and secretion of proteins. It receives proteins from
Endoplasmic Reticulum. It packages it into membrane-bound vesicles, which are then transported to
various destinations, such as lysosomes, plasma membrane or secretion. They also take part in the
transport of lipids and the formation of lysosomes.

Post-translational modification and enzymatic processing occur near the membrane surface in Golgi
bodies, e.g. phosphorylation, glycosylation, etc.

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LYSOSOMES

Lysosomes are membrane-enclosed organelles that contain an array of enzyme capable of

breaking down all types of biological polymers—portions, nucleic acids, carbohydrates,
and lipid. Lysosomes function as the digestive system of the cell, serving both to degrade
material taken up from outside the cell and to digest obsolete components of the cell itself. In
their simplest form, lysosomes are visualized as dense spherical vacuoles, but they can display
considerable variation in size and shape as a result of differences in the materials that have been
taken up for digestion .Lysosomes thus represent morphologically diverse organelles defined by
the common function of degrading intracellular material. Lysosomes is also known as sucidel
bag.

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MITOCHONDRIA

Popularly known as the “Powerhouse of the cell,” mitochondria (singular: mitochondrion) are a
double membrane-bound organelle found in most eukaryotic organisms. They are found inside the
cytoplasm and essentially function as the cell’s “digestive system.”

They play a major role in breaking down nutrients and generating energy-rich molecules for the cell.
Many of the biochemical reactions involved in cellular respiration take place within the mitochondria.
The term ‘mitochondrion’ is derived from the Greek words “mitos” and “chondrion” which means
“thread” and “granules-like”, respectively. It was first described by a German pathologist named
Richard Altmann in the year 1890

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PLASTIDS

Plastid is a two-layered membrane-bound organelle found in the cells of plants

that are involved in the synthesis and storage of food. They are fundamental for
photosynthesis and the storage of food. Plastids are absent in animal cells.
They consist of their own DNA and ribosomes and have the ability to divide.
A plastid containing green shade (chlorophyll) is called chloroplast while a
plastid containing colors separated from green is known as a chromoplast. A
plastid that needs colors is known as a leucoplast and is involved primarily in
food capacity.

1)Chloroplasts
 The most discussed type of plastid is the chloroplast. These organelles are
liable for making plants green and creating energy for the cells and the plants
overall. 
2)Chromoplasts
Chromoplasts are the other pigmented plastids that are all not green. These are
tracked down in flowering plants, organic products, and mature leaves.
3)Gerontoplasts
Gerontoplasts are old chloroplasts. The thylakoid films and the leftover
chlorophyll are separated by gathering plastoglobuli, lipoprotein particles, in the
stroma.
4)Leucoplasts
Leucoplasts are the non-pigmented organelles that are found in the non-
photosynthetic pieces of the plant, like the roots.
5)Amyloplasts-Amyloplasts store and synthesize starch.

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6)Proteinoplasts-They stores the proteins and can be typically found in seeds.

7)Elaioplasts-They help in storing fats and oils.

VACUOLES

A vacuole is a membrane-bound cell organelle. In animal cells, vacuoles are generally small
and help sequester waste products. In plant cells, vacuoles help maintain water balance.
Sometimes a single vacuole can take up most of the interior space of the plant cell.

CELL DIVISION

There are two types of cell division: mitosis and meiosis.

MITOSIS- Mitosis is a process of cell duplication, in which one cell divides into
two genetically identical daughter cells. In the various stages of mitosis, the cell's
chromosomes are copied and then distributed equally between the two new nuclei of
the daughter cells.
MEIOSIS- Meiosis is a type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduces
the number of chromosomes in gametes (the sex cells, or egg and sperm). In humans, body
(or somatic) cells are diploid, containing two sets of chromosomes (one from each parent).

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MEOSI

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CHAPTER END ----
MADE BY- UMESH KUMAR

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